Become a Daunting Poker Opponent and Win More Often

Phil Hellmuth often gives credit to his knack of winning at the poker table to his ability to observe people and decipher their “TELLS”, the non verbal behaviors that reveal the strength of the hand they are holding.

Joe Navarro is credited with changing the face of poker and perhaps your poker face. I believe that face reading expert Lin Klaassen will be recognized as the woman who revolutionized the way poker is played by bringing the art of Western Face Reading to the poker table.

Phil Hellmuth often gives credit to his knack of winning at the poker table to his ability to observe people and decipher their “TELLS”, the non verbal behaviors that reveal the strength of the hand they are holding.

Phil is quoted in the book, Read’em and Reap by Joe Navarro as saying “It is amazing how many poker players, even world class professionals, are unaware that they’re offering TELLS that render their hands transparent. These individual players might as well turn their cards face up, and give their money away”.

Klaassen tells her clients to think of themselves an undercover spy engaged in an espionage mission to gather top secret information about your fellow players who have disguised themselves in a plan to out think, out maneuver, and out play you, all the while disguising yourself to such a high degree that they cannot infiltrate your strategy, while you have them under surveillance.

Remember this is mind to mind combat, it is hard work, but your ability will set you apart from the vast majority of people you will play.

Klaassen told me, Nostrils are the most important facial feature to read.
Klaassen suggests you work on building your basic observation skills, what you don’t see you can’t read.

If you sit down to the poker table unaware of everything except the cards played you will not have the analysis needed to read your opponents. Remember you’ll have money on line, cards to watch, mathematical and technical aspects of the game to consider.

Small Nostrils: These people are cautious in life and frugal with their money and resources. No matter how much they have, there is still a concern that it won’t be enough. Their thrifty nature makes them less likely to bluff. If they are raising the bet – they at least THINK they have the winning hand.

Moderate Nostrils: These people will fluctuate between the two above descriptions which makes them a challenge to read. You will need to bring other aspects in to get a read on them.

Non Flared Nostrils: These people tend to NOT trust their instincts to take direct action in the moment. They can be expected to cautious even when betting or raising. If they are raising the ante, pay ATTENTION, they THINK they have the winning hand. The more money in question the harder it will be for them.

went on to explain if your opponent has large nostrils and wide flared nostrils the two traits together strengthen each other and they are even more of a risk taker. Conversely, if the person has small, non flared nostrils the two traits together will make the player even more cautious than if they only had one of these traits.

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Sandy Zimmerman produces TV commercials/ television programs, is a freelance Writer focusing on travel, entertainment, restaurants, lifestyles, health and medicine. Sandy's life is like a reality program: one day Sandy is wearing scrubs while photographing a surgery, next Sandy is interviewing a chef at a mega-resort in Las Vegas. In a week, Sandy may be riding an elephant in Thailand. Sandy never knows where she will be next.